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Video: Discovery of the Spider That Builds Spider Decoys

In December, we reported on a new species of spider discovered in Peru. Tiny, and likely a new member of the genus Cyclosa, the spider builds large, spider-shaped decoys — and vibrates its web, acting as a master puppeteer.

Here is a video shot at the moment the spiders were discovered.

“I don’t know of any potential species discovery that has been caught on video to the same level that this one has been,” said the videographer who goes by Destin, who was accompanying biologist Phil Torres in the Peruvian Amazon. “It’s fun to go back and watch the video because it reminds me of how confused and perplexed we were.”

Indeed, the captured moment of discovery includes the following exchange: